“Many thanks to the village head for handling things fairly. As for the writing fee, let my mother-in-law pay it. Please understand, I don’t have any money on hand right now.”
After Lu Meiyu and the Liu family all pressed their fingerprints, her mood improved, and she spoke to the village head with a smile.
The village head felt speechless and looked toward Zhangshi.
With things stated so clearly, how could Zhangshi dare not pay the writing fee?
She had no choice but to fetch a few eggs and stuff them into the village head’s hands, offering words of thanks.
The village head declined a couple of times before accepting, maintaining appearances on both sides.
Lu Meiyu carefully tucked away the document and left with confidence.
The village head felt something was off. In the past, Lu Meiyu had been a timid young wife who didn’t even dare raise her head in front of him.
Now she was full of confidence!
She even laughed freely, brightly, and with a hint of sweetness…
He suddenly felt that Liu Qingsheng was quite fortunate—none of the village wives were as pretty as Lu Meiyu.
The news that Lu Meiyu had successfully obtained land from the Liu family spread quickly, shocking the entire village.
It was rare for a woman with two daughters, cast out by her in-laws, to receive so much.
“I didn’t expect Meiyu to really get it. I thought she was dreaming!”
“That’s right. She said if she couldn’t get the military pay, she’d at least get land.”
“She’s truly capable.”
This was the discussion among daughters-in-law, filled with admiration.
The older women, however, had a different perspective—they felt Lu Meiyu was too formidable.
What kind of daughter-in-law who had only given birth to girls could take so much when splitting the family?
Besides, in their eyes, “dividing the family” itself was a fault! Families should stay together and pool their strength!
They were unwilling to divide households—splitting meant fewer laborers and fewer people to vent frustration on.
As they talked, they completely forgot that Lu Meiyu had originally been forced out with almost nothing. The Liu family simply didn’t want to support the three of them.
None of this affected Lu Meiyu. Though she became the village’s topic of conversation, her focus remained on survival for herself and her children.
She stored the document in her space and began planning her trip into the mountains.
She wanted to hunt, but she lacked proper tools.
Of course, she had the electric baton for close combat.
But rabbits and pheasants wouldn’t stand still waiting to be shocked.
Better to rely on luck.
When she checked her space again, she discovered something new.
A handgun!
A Desert Eagle!
She looked closer—only to realize it was a realistic toy gun…
No wonder it was cheap—only forty coins.
Her excitement instantly deflated.
Lu Meiyu felt speechless. She understood why the toy gun appeared—she had forty-two coins.
She could afford it, but then she’d only have two coins left, barely enough for salt.
Still, she was tempted. Even though it was a replica, it came with ten steel bullets.
Modern toy guns usually used foam or rubber bullets—just for play.
But these were steel bullets, with real power.
Even more incredible, it could be equipped with a silencer, infrared sight, and scope—
Of course, at extra cost. And she had no money for that now.
She believed her shooting skills were decent.
After all, she had endured harsh conditions before and seen plenty of brutal scenes.
Her stored weapons hadn’t reappeared yet, so this replica gun would still be valuable in this ancient world.
But she truly had little money, so she decided not to spend recklessly and would see what she could find in the mountains first.
The next morning, she had a simple breakfast—rice porridge and vegetables.
She also cooked rice. After all, rice was what she had the most of.
Once it cooled slightly, she formed several rice balls.
“I’m going to the mountains. When you’re hungry at noon, heat these rice balls.”
She took two for herself and left two for the sisters.
The girls nodded obediently. “Mother, we’ll keep the house clean and won’t cause trouble.”
“Remember, if you’re scared, go to Granny Zhao’s. If the Liu family comes to bully you, don’t engage—just run. I’ll deal with them when I return.”
After carefully instructing them, Lu Meiyu carried her basket, took a machete, and left.
The two rice balls were also in her basket—after all, food was essential.
As she passed the low hills and continued deeper, someone called out, “Don’t go too far! There are wild beasts—big cats!”
Big cats meant tigers!
Lu Meiyu replied, “I won’t go deep, just near the foothills.”
Hearing about tigers made her nervous.
But since they were deep in the mountains, she resolved not to go too far in and only search near the edge.
Suddenly, she noticed that the system had provided a map.
The paths were clearly displayed.
Very useful—it even had navigation.
【Host, this is compensation for the damaged space.】
【Thank you, system.】
She also noticed red exclamation marks deeper in the mountains.
The system explained: 【Red exclamation marks indicate dangerous areas.】
I see.
Whatever dangers lay there, she would avoid them.
After walking several miles, she reached the foothills.
The mountains were towering, thick with vegetation, almost blocking out the sky.
Even without wild beasts, she wouldn’t dare go too far inside.
There were no clear paths, so she had to use her machete to clear grass and thorns.
Not long after, she discovered mushrooms.
They were pine mushrooms—common, non-toxic, and delicious. She liked them very much.
Despite the drought affecting the outside world, the mountains still held abundant resources.
Besides the pine mushrooms, she saw yellow and red mushrooms.
These, she wasn’t sure about.
Poisonous mushrooms were no joke.
【Host, the yellow ones are small yellow mushrooms, and the red ones are red bolete mushrooms. Both are non-toxic. Red bolete is known as “southern ginseng.” This system will purchase them.】
【Thank you, system.】
Lu Meiyu was delighted. The system was actually useful!
Knowing they were safe, she gathered them boldly.
She collected all the red boletes nearby—filling nearly half a basket.
【System, how much are these worth?】
【One tael of silver. Do you wish to trade?】
【Trade.】
The mushrooms disappeared, and a tael of silver appeared in her hand.
Having money felt wonderful!
【System, how about buying the small yellow mushrooms too?】
【Small yellow mushrooms are usually not cultivable, but with spiritual spring water, they can be grown in your garden. Once harvested, the system will purchase them.】
Lu Meiyu finally felt relieved.
The system was becoming more helpful, even guiding her on how to earn money.